Apparatus, systems, and methods for washing sandy, debris-ridden and/or salinated articles

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for washing an article includes a container defining an internal chamber configured to receive the article, an inflow connector connectable to a source of pressurized fluid, a filter member disposed within the internal chamber between a base of the container and the inflow connector, and a lid sealingly engagable with an open upper end of the container and defining at least one opening. Pressurized fluid supplied to the internal chamber is urged upwardly through the internal chamber, through and around an article disposed therein, and out the at least one opening of the lid. As a result, salt retained within or on the article is expelled through the at least one opening of the lid and particulate on or within the article is collected or passed through the filter member. Systems incorporating the apparatus and methods of using the same are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/222,427 filed on Sep. 23, 2015, the entire contentsof which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, and methods forwashing sandy, debris-ridden, and/or salinated articles, e.g., wetsuits,bathing suits, beach towels, clothing, footwear, snorkels, masks,diving/scuba gear, etc.

Background of the Disclosure

The beach provides ample opportunity for fun, excitement, and/orrelaxation. However, certain articles, particularly those used in andaround the ocean, may become sandy, ridden with debris, and/or salinatedfrom the saltwater. Such articles include, for example, wetsuits,bathing suits, beach towels, clothing, footwear, snorkels, masks,diving/scuba gear, etc. Sand and other beach debris can easily betrapped on or within these articles and, as a result, find their wayinto vehicles and homes. Salt from saltwater may also be absorbed and/orretained by these articles, and can have a corrosive and/or irritatingeffect if not sufficiently expelled. It is therefore desirable to removesuch sand, debris, and salt from these articles after use forcleanliness purposes and to increase the longevity of the articles.

Wetsuits, for example, are commonly used in beach activities such assurfing. As can be appreciated, during use, sand, debris, and salt maybecome trapped on, within, and/or absorbed by the wetsuit. Simplyrinsing the wetsuit is ineffective in sufficiently removing the sand,debris, and salt that may become trapped and/or absorbed therein.

Accordingly, there is a need for apparatus, systems, and methods thatmore efficiently and effectively remove sand, debris, and salt fromwetsuits and other articles.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides apparatus, systems, and methods forwashing an article, e.g., wetsuit, bathing suit, beach towel, clothing,footwear, snorkel, masks, diving/scuba gear, etc.

An apparatus for washing an article provided in accordance with aspectsof the present disclosure includes a container, an inflow connector, afilter member, and a lid. The container includes a sidewall and a basecooperating to define an internal chamber configured to receive anarticle to be washed. The container further includes a closed lower endand an open upper end and defines an inflow opening through the sidewallthereof towards the closed lower end thereof. The inflow connector issealingly engaged within the inflow opening of the sidewall of thecontainer. The inflow connector is configured to connect to a source ofpressurized fluid for supplying pressurized fluid to the internalchamber of the container. The filter member is disposed within theinternal chamber of the container between the base of the container andthe inflow opening of the container. The filter member is configured tocollect particulate and/or permit passage of particulate therethrough.The lid is releasably sealingly engagable with the upper end of thecontainer. The lid defines at least one opening therethrough. Theapparatus is configured such that pressurized fluid supplied through theinflow connector and into the internal chamber of the container is urgedupwardly through the internal chamber of the container, through andaround an article disposed within the internal chamber of the container,and out the at least one opening of the lid, thereby carrying or urgingsalt retained within or on the article through the apertures of the lid.The apparatus is further configured such that particulate on or withinthe article is collected within the filter member and/or passed throughthe filter member to settle on the base of the container.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the inflow connector includes avalve mechanism transitionable between an open configuration, permittingthe inflow of fluid into the internal chamber of the container, and aclosed configuration, inhibiting the inflow of fluid into the internalchamber of the container.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the lid includes aplurality of snap-fingers configured for circumferential engagementabout the open upper end of the container to releasably sealingly engagethe lid about the upper end of the container. Alternatively, the lid mayinclude at least one lock handle movable between an upward, unlockedposition and a downward, locked position, to releasably sealingly engagethe lid about the upper end of the container.

The container may be a bucket or a barrel.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the filter member isformed from a flexible material and defines at least one grooveconfigured to collect particulate and a plurality of aperturesconfigured to permit passage of particulate therethrough.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the filter member isformed from a flexible material and defines a plurality of ridges andrecesses. The recesses are configured to collect particulate.

In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the filter memberis formed from a flexible material and includes a body defining aplurality of apertures configured to permit passage of particulatetherethrough and an annular flange configured to support the bodyspaced-apart above the base of the container.

A system for washing an article provided in accordance with aspects ofthe present disclosure includes an inflow hose configured to connect toa source of pressurized fluid and an article washing apparatus, e.g.,according to any of the aspects detailed above.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the system further includes anoutflow hose configured to receive expelled fluid and salt from theapparatus.

A method for washing an article provided in accordance with aspects ofthe present disclosure includes placing an article to be washed into aninternal chamber of a container, sealingly engaging a lid including atleast one opening about an open upper end of the container, andsupplying pressurized fluid to the internal chamber of the containerthrough an inflow opening in a sidewall of the container. As a result ofsupplying pressurized fluid, the internal chamber is filled with thepressurized fluid thereby pinning the article against an interiorsurface of the lid, the pressurized fluid is urged through and aroundthe article and out of the internal chamber of the container via the atleast one opening of the lid, the pressurized fluid carries or urgessalt retained within or on the article through the plurality ofapertures of the lid, and particulate on or within the article iscollected within a filter member disposed towards a closed lower end ofthe container below the inflow opening and/or passed through at leastone aperture defined within the filter member to settle at the closedlower end of the container.

In aspects, supplying the pressurized fluid includes opening a valvemechanism associated with the inflow opening.

In aspects, the filter member is positioned within the internal chamberof the container prior to placing the article to be washed into theinternal chamber of the container.

In aspects, sealingly engaging the lid about the open upper end of thecontainer includes engaging a plurality of snap-fingers of the lidcircumferentially about the open upper end of the container or moving atleast one lock handle of the lid from an upward, unlocked position to adownward, locked position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects and features of the present disclosure are described herein withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an article washing apparatus providedin accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is an exploded, side view of an article washing system includingthe article washing apparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a side view of one configuration of the article washingsystem of FIG. 1B, shown in use;

FIG. 2B is a side view of another configuration of the article washingsystem of FIG. 1B, shown in use;

FIG. 2C is a side view of yet another configuration of the articlewashing system of FIG. 1B, shown in use;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the lid of the article washing apparatus of FIG.1A;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the filter member of the article washingapparatus of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 5 is a side, cross-sectional view of the article washing system ofFIG. 1B, shown in use;

FIG. 6A is a perspective, cut-away view of another article washingapparatus provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B is an exploded, perspective view of the article washingapparatus of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a perspective, cut-away view of another article washingapparatus provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is an exploded, perspective view of the article washingapparatus of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a perspective, cut-away view of another article washingapparatus provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8B is an exploded, perspective view of the article washingapparatus of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of another article washing apparatusprovided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9B is a perspective, cross-sectional view of the article washingapparatus of FIG. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described indetail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsidentify similar or identical elements. In the following description,well known functions or constructions are not described in detail toavoid obscuring the present disclosure. To the extent consistent, any ofthe aspects and/or features of any of the embodiments detailed hereinmay be used in conjunction with any of the aspects and/or features ofany of the other embodiments detailed herein.

Turning to FIGS. 1A-2B, an article washing system provided in accordancewith the present disclosure is shown generally identified by referencenumeral 10. Article washing system 10 includes an article washingapparatus 100 (FIG. 1A), an input hose 200 releasably connectable withand configured to supply water or other fluid to article washingapparatus 100, and, optionally, an output hose 300 releasablyconnectable with and configured to remove water or other fluid expelledfrom article washing apparatus 100. Article washing apparatus 100generally includes a bucket 110, a lid 120, an input connector 130, afilter member 140, and, optionally, a collection hood 150 (FIG. 1B; notshown in FIG. 1A).

Bucket 110 may be a standard 5-gallon bucket, or may define any othersuitable size, shape, and/or configuration, depending, for example, uponthe particular items configured for use therewith, e.g., wetsuits,bathing suits, beach towels, clothing, footwear, snorkels, masks,diving/scuba gear, etc. Bucket defines a lower end 111 enclosed via abase 112, an internal chamber 113, and an open upper end 114. A handle116 may be provided to facilitate manipulation and transport of bucket110. Bucket 110 further defines an input opening 118 defined through asidewall thereof towards lower end 111 thereof.

With additional reference to FIG. 3, lid 120 is configured to releasablysealingly engage the open upper end 114 of bucket 110. Morespecifically, lid 120 may include a plurality of snap fingers 122disposed circumferentially about the perimeter thereof and configured tosnap-fittingly engage the open upper end 114 of bucket 110 in sealingrelation therewith, although other releasable sealing engagementconfigurations are also contemplated. Lid 120 defines a plurality ofapertures 124 therethrough. Apertures 124 may be arranged in anysuitable pattern and/or configuration. Specifically, apertures 124 maybe configured, in connection with the inflow pressure of fluid intobucket 110, to achieve a desired pressure of fluid flow through bucket110, as detailed below. Further, different lids 120 or a lid 120 withadjustable apertures 124 may be provided to achieve different pressures.

Referring again to FIGS. 1A-2B, input connector 130 is sealingly engagedwithin input opening 118 of bucket 110. Input connector 130 includes avalve 134 having a knob 135 to enable opening and closing of valve 134.Input connector 130 may be configured as a ball gate valve, or any othersuitable valve. Input connector 130 further includes an exit tube 136extending into internal chamber 113 of bucket 110 and an entry tube 138disposed externally of bucket 110 and on an opposite side of valve 134as compared to exit tube 136. Entry tube 138 defines threading 139 orother suitable engagement features for releasably securing an inflowdevice, e.g., input hose 200, therewith. As can be appreciated, withinput hose 200 connected to input connector 130 and with valve 134disposed in an open position, fluid can be supplied to internal chamber113 of bucket 110 via input hose 200.

With additional reference to FIG. 4, filter member 140 is configured forpositioning within internal chamber 113 of bucket 110 adjacent base 112and below exit tube 136 of input connector 132. Filter member 140 may beformed from a flexible material, e.g., rubber, and defines a generallydisc-shaped configuration having an outer ring portion 142 and an innercircle portion 144. Filter member 140 further defines a diameter thatgenerally approximates the diameter of internal chamber 113 of bucket110. Outer ring portion 142 includes a plurality of concentric,spaced-apart annular ribs 145 disposed about inner circular portion 144so as to define a plurality of annular grooves 146 between the ribs 145.Inner circle portion 144 defines a plurality of apertures 148therethrough. Apertures 148 may be arranged in any suitable patternand/or configuration. In some embodiments, filter member 140 is acollapsible colander disposed in a collapsed condition and defining theabove-detailed features.

Referring back to FIGS. 1B-2B, as noted above, collection hood 150 isoptional in that collection hood 150 may be provided for use in someembodiments, while in other embodiments, collection hood 150 is notprovided. Collection hood 150 includes a body 152 defining an interiorarea 153 and an open mouth 154. Body 152 may be formed from a flexiblematerial. Collection hood 150 further includes an engagement member 156,e.g., an elastic band, ratchet connector, lever latch, or other suitableengagement feature, disposed about body 152 towards open mouth 154thereof. Engagement member 156 is configured to sealingly engage lid 120and/or upper end 114 of bucket 110. Interior area 153 of body 152 ofcollection hood 150 is configured to collect the fluid expelled throughapertures 124 of lid 120. Collection hood 150 may further include anoutlet 158 configured to enable the outflow of fluid from withininterior area 153 of body 152 of collection hood 150. Outlet 158 may beconfigured to releasably engage an outflow device, e.g., output hose300.

Referring to FIG. 2C, in conjunction with FIG. 1B, article washingapparatus 100 is shown in use with another collection hood 150′.Collection hood 150′ serves a similar purpose as collection hood 150(FIG. 2B) and is likewise configured to sealingly engage lid 120 and/orupper end 114 of bucket 110. Collection hood 150′ includes a rigid body152′ defining an interior area 153′. Collection hood 150′ furtherincludes an engagement member 156′, e.g., a ratchet connector, leverlatch, or other suitable engagement feature, disposed about body 152′and configured to sealingly engage collection hood 150′ about lid 120and/or upper end 114 of bucket 110. Interior area 153′ of body 152′ ofcollection hood 150′ is configured to collect the fluid expelled throughapertures 124 of lid 120. Collection hood 150′ may further include anoutlet 158′ configured to enable the outflow of fluid from withininterior area 153′ of body 152′ of collection hood 150′. Outlet 158′ maybe configured to releasably engage an outflow device, e.g., output hose300.

Article washing apparatus 100 may further include support structures,shelving, platforms, or other suitable features (not shown) mountedwithin bucket 110 and/or removably positionable therein for supportingnon-floating items. As can be appreciated, with respect to floatingarticles such as wetsuits, such features are not required.

Turning to FIGS. 1A-2B and 5, the method of use and operation of articlewashing system 10 is detailed. Initially, article washing system 10 isassembled and article washing apparatus 100 is coupled with input hose200 and, if desired, output hose 300. Such assembly includes insertingfilter member 140 into internal chamber 113 of bucket 110 (if notalready positioned therein) and connecting input hose 200 with entrytube 138 of input connector 130. The other end of input hose 200 isconnected to a pressurized fluid source, e.g., pressurized water from aspigot of a fresh-water plumbing system(not shown).

At this point, the article to be washed, e.g., a wetsuit 400, is placedwithin internal chamber 113 of bucket 110 atop filter member 140.Thereafter, lid 120 is sealingly engaged about upper end 114 of bucket110. If a collection hood 150 is desired, engagement member 156 ofcollection hood 150 is sealingly engaged about lid 120 and/or upper end114 of bucket 110. Output hose 300 may be coupled to outlet 158 ofcollection hood 150.

Once assembled as detailed above, article washing system 10 is ready foruse. With particular reference to FIG. 5, to initiate washing, the fluidsupply is turned “ON” and, if not already done so, valve 134 is moved toan open position such that water is pumped through input hose 200, inputconnector 130, and into internal chamber 113 of bucket 110. As water ispumped into internal chamber 113 of bucket 110, internal chamber 113 isfilled with water and, as a result of wetsuit 400 being buoyant and,thus, floating atop the water level, wetsuit 400 is moved upwardlytowards lid 120 as water continues to fill internal chamber 113. Uponcontinued pumping of water into internal chamber 113, internal chamber113 eventually becomes full. As apertures 124 provide the only escapepath from internal chamber 113 of bucket 110, the pumping of additionalwater into internal chamber 113 urges the water within bucket 110 toflow against gravity in the direction of arrows “A.” With water flowingin this manner, under the pressure of the fluid source (not shown), atleast some of the water is urged through wetsuit 400, before exitingbucket 110 by way of apertures 124, as indicated by arrows “B.” Morespecifically, due to the buoyancy of wetsuit 400 and the upward flow ofwater through bucket 110, wetsuit 400 is pinned against the interiorsurface of lid 120, blocking at least some of apertures 124. As aresult, at least some of the water is forced through wetsuit 400 priorto escaping through apertures 124.

As water is pumped upwardly through bucket 110, the general presence ofwater surrounding wetsuit 400 as well as the flow of water through andaround wetsuit 400 dislodges sand and debris caught on or within wetsuit400. The sand and other debris fall, under gravity, towards the lowerend 111 of bucket 110, as indicated by arrows “C.” Eventually, the sandand debris are collected within annular grooves 146 of filter member 140and/or pass through apertures 148 of filter member 140, as indicated byarrows “D,” before settling at the base 112 of bucket 110.

In addition to the removal of sand and debris as detailed above, theurging of water through wetsuit 400 to be expelled via apertures 124 oflid 120 serves to purge the wetsuit 400 of salt absorbed therein ordisposed thereon. In particular, it has been found that salinity of thewetsuit 400 can be reduced from 26 parts per thousand down to 0 partsper thousand due to the flow of pressurized fluid therethrough, as thefluid seeks to escape bucket 110 via apertures 124. The salt purged fromwetsuit 400 is mixed with the water flowing upwardly through bucket 110and, thus, is likewise expelled through apertures 124 of lid 120.Article washing system 10 is continuously operated, as detailed above,for a sufficient amount of time so as to fully desalinate wetsuit 400and remove the sand and debris therefrom, or may be operated to a pointof sufficiently low salination and/or cleanliness.

The water pressure within bucket 110 and the water flow pressure throughbucket 110 depends at least in part on the pressure of the fluid source(not shown) and the configuration of apertures 124. As such, the inflowpressure of water from the fluid source may be varied (or the extent towhich inflow is permitted may be varied, by adjusting input connector130) and/or different lids 120 may be utilized (or the apertures 124 oflid 120 may be adjusted, in embodiments where a lid 120 with adjustableapertures 124 is provided) to achieve an appropriate pressure. Theappropriate pressure may depend upon the size of the bucket 110; thesize, configuration, material make-up, and/or type of article disposedwithin bucket 110; the extent to which the article is soiled by sand,debris, and salt; the desired washing time; and/or other factors.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 5, as noted above, water is urgedthrough wetsuit 400 and out of bucket 110 by way of apertures 124 of lid124, as indicated by arrows “B.” In embodiments where collection hood150 is not provided (see also FIG. 2A), the expelled water is simplypermitted to flow over the exterior of lid 120 and bucket 110, undergravity. However, in embodiments where collection hood 150 is provided(see also FIG. 2B), the water exiting bucket 110 flows into interiorarea 153 of collection hood 150 and, ultimately, out through outlet 158of collection hood 150, as indicated by arrow “E.” As can beappreciated, collection hood 150 contains the water expelled from bucket110, thus allowing the water to be channeled through outlet 158 in aparticular direction or through outlet 158 and into output hose 300(FIG. 2B) for depositing the water at a location displaced from bucket110.

Referring generally to FIGS. 6A-9B, various other embodiments of articlewashing apparatus 600 (FIGS. 6A and 6B), 700 (FIGS. 7A and 7B), 800(FIGS. 8A and 8B), 900 (FIGS. 9A and 9B) are illustrated and detailedbelow. Any of the article washing apparatus 100 (FIG. 1A), 600, 700,800, 900 detailed herein may include any or all of the features of anyof the other article washing apparatus 100 (FIG. 1A), 600, 700, 800, 900detailed herein. Further, article washing apparatus 100 (FIG. 1A), 600,700, 800, 900 may be used as part of an article washing system, e.g.,article washing system 10 (FIG. 1B) or any other suitable articlewashing system. For the purposes of brevity, only differences betweenarticle washing apparatus 600, 700, 800, 900 and article washingapparatus 100 (FIG. 1A) will be described in detail below, whilesimilarities will be summarily described or omitted entirely. The useand operation of article washing apparatus 600, 700, 800, 900 are alsosimilar to that of article washing apparatus 100 (FIG. 1A), detailedabove, and thus, will not be repeated hereinbelow.

Turning to FIG. 6A-6B, article washing apparatus 600 generally includesa bucket 610, a lid 620, an input connector 630, and a filter member640. An O-ring 625 is configured to fit within a groove (not shown) onan underside of lid 620 and radially inwardly of snap fingers 622.O-ring 625 serves to facilitate formation of a fluid-tight seal betweenlid 620 and bucket 610 when lid 620 is engaged thereabout.

Filter member 640 of article washing apparatus 600 is configured forpositioning within internal chamber 613 of bucket 610 adjacent base 612and below input connector 630. Filter member 640 may be formed from aflexible material, e.g., rubber, and defines a generally disc-shapedbody 642 and an annular flange 644. Annular flange 644 is configured tosit atop base 612 of bucket 610 such that disc-shaped body 642 isspaced-apart from base 612 of bucket 610. Disc-shaped body 642 may beplanar in configuration or, due to the flexible nature thereof, may sagslightly in the middle. Disc-shaped body 642 defines a plurality ofapertures 648 therethrough. Apertures 648 may be of similar size ordifferent sizes, and may be arranged in any suitable pattern (symmetricor asymmetric). In use, similarly as detailed above, the sand and otherdebris are configured to pass through apertures 648 of filter member 640and settle at the base 612 of bucket 610. In embodiments wheredisc-shaped body 642 sags in the middle (and in embodiments wheredisc-shaped body 642 is urged to flex from its planar, at-rest conditiontowards a sagging condition), sand and other debris are funneled towardsa center of disc-shaped body 642. In such a configuration, apertures 648may be arranged, e.g., in a radially symmetric manner, so as tofacilitate the passage of sand and other debris therethrough during thisradially-inward funneling of the sand and other debris. However, otherconfigurations are also contemplated.

With reference to FIGS. 7A-7B, article washing apparatus 700 generallyincludes a bucket 710, a lid 720, an O-ring 725, an input connector 730,and a filter member 740. Filter member 740 of article washing apparatus700 may be formed from a flexible material, e.g., rubber, and defines agenerally disc-shaped configuration having a disc-shaped body 742 and aplurality of spaced-apart rims 744 disposed annularly about disc-shapedbody 742. One or more of rims 744 extends below disc-shaped body 742such that disc-shaped body 742 is spaced-apart from base 712 of bucket710. An annular groove 745 is defined between each pair of adjacent rims744. Disc-shaped body 742 includes a plurality of apertures 748 definedtherethrough and may be configured similarly to disc-shaped body 642 offilter member 640 of article washing apparatus 600 (FIGS. 6A and 6B).Rims 744 and grooves 745, similarly as with ribs 145 and grooves 146 offilter member 140 of article washing apparatus 100 (FIG. 1B), serve tocollect some sand and debris, while other sand and debris is passedthrough apertures 748 and ultimately settle at the base 712 of bucket710. The outer-most rim 744 may be angled outwardly to meet the sidewallof bucket 710, while the inner rims 744 are oriented generallyperpendicularly relative to disc-shaped body 742. Further, rims 744 maydefine different heights, e.g., with the outer-most rim 744 defining afirst height, the inner-most rim 744 defining a second height equal toor shorter than the first height, and the intermediate rim 744 defininga third height shorter than the second height, although differentconfigurations and/or numbers of rims 744 may also be provided.

Referring to FIGS. 8A-8B, article washing apparatus 800 generallyincludes a bucket 810, a lid 820, an O-ring 825, an input connector 830,and a filter member 840. Filter member 840 of article washing apparatus800 may be formed from a flexible material, e.g., rubber, and isconfigured to sit atop base 812 of bucket 810 within internal chamber813 thereof. Filter member 840 defines a matrix of ridges 842 andrecesses 844. Ridges 842 and recesses 844 are arranged to definediamond-shaped configurations, although other configurations are alsocontemplated. Recesses 844 are configured to collect sand and debristhat fall, through gravity, towards base 812 of bucket 810 during use,similarly as detailed above.

Turning now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, article washing apparatus 900 generallyincludes a barrel 910, a lid 920, a pair of lock handles 925, an inputconnector 930, and a filter member 940. Barrel 910 includes a base 912,an open upper end 914 and a body 916 that extends between and bowsoutwardly relative to open upper end 914 and base 912. Barrel 910further includes a pair of diametrically-opposed chucks 918 disposed onthe exterior thereof towards upper end 914 thereof. Chucks 918, asdetailed below, are configured to receive lock handles 925 thereabout,e.g., in compression-fit thereabout, to secure lid 920 about open upperend 914 of barrel 910 in fluid-tight engagement therewith, althoughother suitable locking mechanisms are also contemplated.

Lid 920 of article washing apparatus 900 defines an exit port 922extending therethrough. Exit port 922 fluidly communicates with theinternal chamber 913 of barrel 910 with lid 920 engaged about barrel 910so as to enable the escape of fluid from internal chamber 913 of barrel910, e.g., similarly as detailed above with respect to apertures 124 oflid 120 of article washing apparatus 100 (FIG. 1A). A stopper 923 may beprovided to plug exit port 922 of lid 920 during transport or whenarticle washing apparatus 900 is otherwise not in use. Further, ratherthan using a collection hood 150 as with system 10 (see FIG. 1B), outputhose 300 (FIG. 1B) may be directly coupled to exit port 922 to receivethe fluid expelled from barrel 910. Alternatively, fluid (and salt) maysimply flow from exit port 922 out and about barrel 910.

Lock handles 925 are pivotably coupled to lid 920 atdiametrically-opposed positions and each define a grasping portion 926and an aperture 927. Grasping portions 926 are disposed towards the freeends of lock handles 925, opposite the pivotably coupled ends thereofand are configured to facilitate manual manipulation of lock handles 925between an upward, unlocked position, and a downward, locked position.Apertures 927 are shaped complementary to and configured to receivechucks 918 of barrel 910 in the downward, locked position such that lockhandles 925 are maintained in the downward, locked position. In thisdownward, locked position, lid 920 is held in compression against openupper end 914 of barrel 910 to maintain a fluid-tight seal thereabout.As an alternative to providing chucks 918 and apertures 927, lockhandles 925 may be configured to engage annular lip 919 (FIG. 9B) ofbarrel 910 to engage lid 920 about barrel 910 in fluid-tight fashion.

Input connector 930 is similar to input connector 130 of article washingapparatus 100 (FIG. 1A) except that input connector 930 includes acantilever arm 932 operably engaged to the valve mechanism of inputconnector 930 at a fixed end thereof and defining a second, free end.The second, free end of cantilever arm 932 is rotatable relative to abody 934 of input connector 930 between an open position, correspondingto an open condition of the valve mechanism, and a closed position,corresponding to a closed condition of the valve mechanism, to permit orinhibit the supply of fluid into barrel 910.

Filter member 940 may be configured similar to any of the filter membersdetailed hereinabove, or may define any other suitable configuration.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the above descriptionshould not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications ofembodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modificationswithin the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for washing an article, comprising: a container including a sidewall and a base cooperating to define an internal chamber configured to receive an article to be washed, the container having a closed lower end and an open upper end, the container defining an inflow opening through the sidewall thereof towards the closed lower end thereof; an inflow connector sealingly engaged within the inflow opening of the sidewall of the container, the inflow connector configured to connect to a source of pressurized fluid for supplying pressurized fluid to the internal chamber of the container; a filter member disposed within the internal chamber of the container between the base of the container and the inflow opening of the container, the filter member configured to at least one of: collect particulate or permit passage of particulate therethrough; and a lid releasably sealingly engagable with the upper end of the container, the lid defining at least one opening therethrough, wherein the apparatus is configured such that pressurized fluid supplied through the inflow connector and into the internal chamber of the container is urged upwardly through the internal chamber of the container, through and around an article disposed within the internal chamber of the container, and out the at least one opening of the lid, thereby carrying or urging salt retained within or on the article through the apertures of the lid, and such that particulate on or within the article is at least one of: collected within the filter member or passed through the filter member to settle on the base of the container.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inflow connector includes a valve mechanism transitionable between an open configuration, permitting the inflow of fluid into the internal chamber of the container, and a closed configuration, inhibiting the inflow of fluid into the internal chamber of the container.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lid includes a plurality of snap-fingers configured for circumferential engagement about the open upper end of the container to releasably sealingly engage the lid about the upper end of the container.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lid includes at least one lock handle movable between an upward, unlocked position and a downward, locked position, to releasably sealingly engage the lid about the upper end of the container.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container is a bucket or a barrel.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter member is formed from a flexible material and defines at least one groove configured to collect particulate and a plurality of apertures configured to permit passage of particulate therethrough.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter member is formed from a flexible material and defines a plurality of ridges and recesses, the recesses configured to collect particulate.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter member is formed from a flexible material and includes a body defining a plurality of apertures configured to permit passage of particulate therethrough and an annular flange configured to support the body spaced-apart above the base of the container.
 9. A system for washing an article, comprising: an inflow hose configured to connect to a source of pressurized fluid; and an article washing apparatus, including: a container including a sidewall and a base cooperating to define an internal chamber configured to receive an article to be washed, the container having a closed lower end and an open upper end, the container defining an inflow opening through the sidewall thereof towards the closed lower end thereof; an inflow connector sealingly engaged within the inflow opening of the sidewall of the container, the inflow connector configured to connect to the inflow hose for supplying pressurized fluid to the internal chamber of the container; a filter member disposed within the internal chamber of the container between the base of the container and the inflow opening of the container, the filter member configured to at least one of: collect particulate or permit passage of particulate therethrough; and a lid releasably sealingly engagable with the upper end of the container, the lid defining at least one opening therethrough, wherein the apparatus is configured such that pressurized fluid supplied from the inflow hose through the inflow connector and into the internal chamber of the container is urged upwardly through the internal chamber of the container, through and around an article disposed therein, and out the at least one opening of the lid, thereby carrying or urging salt retained within or on the article through the at least one opening of the lid, and such that particulate on or within the article is at least one of: collected within the filter member or passed through the filter member to settle on the base of the container.
 10. The system according to claim 9, further comprising an outflow hose configured to receive expelled fluid and salt from the apparatus.
 11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the inflow connector includes a valve mechanism transitionable between an open configuration, permitting the inflow of fluid from the inflow hose into the internal chamber of the container, and a closed configuration, inhibiting the inflow of fluid from the inflow hose into the internal chamber of the container.
 12. The system according to claim 9, wherein the lid includes a plurality of snap-fingers configured for circumferential engagement about the open upper end of the container to releasably sealingly engage the lid about the upper end of the container.
 13. The system according to claim 9, wherein the lid includes at least one lock handle movable between an upward, unlocked position and a downward, locked position, to releasably sealingly engage the lid about the upper end of the container.
 14. The system according to claim 9, wherein the filter member is formed from a flexible material and defines at least one groove configured to collect particulate and a plurality of apertures configured to permit passage of particulate therethrough.
 15. The system according to claim 9, wherein the filter member is formed from a flexible material and defines a plurality of ridges and recesses, the recesses configured to collect particulate.
 16. The system according to claim 9, wherein the filter member is formed from a flexible material and includes a body defining a plurality of apertures configured to permit passage of particulate therethrough and an annular flange configured to support the body spaced-apart above the base of the container.
 17. A method for washing an article, comprising: placing an article to be washed into an internal chamber of a container; sealingly engaging a lid about an open upper end of the container, the lid defining at least one opening therethrough; supplying pressurized fluid to the internal chamber of the container through an inflow opening in a sidewall of the container such that: the internal chamber is filled with the pressurized fluid, thereby pinning the article against an interior surface of the lid, the pressurized fluid is urged through and around the article and out of the internal chamber of the container via the at least one opening of the lid, the pressurized fluid carries or urges salt retained within or on the article through the plurality of apertures of the lid, and particulate on or within the article is at least one: of collected within a filter member disposed towards a closed lower end of the container below the inflow opening or passed through at least one aperture defined within the filter member to settle at the closed lower end of the container.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein supplying pressurized fluid includes opening a valve mechanism associated with the inflow opening.
 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the filter member is positioned within the internal chamber of the container prior to placing the article to be washed into the internal chamber of the container.
 20. The method according to claim 17, wherein sealingly engaging the lid about the open upper end of the container includes one of: engaging a plurality of snap-fingers of the lid circumferentially about the open upper end of the container; or moving at least one lock handle of the lid from an upward, unlocked position to a downward, locked position. 